Do You Qualify For Car Insurance Discounts

August 3, 2008

Car insurance can get pricey especially if you have gotten tickets or have ever been in a car accident. However, most car insurance companies have plenty of discounts available to give to their customers. The problem is, most people do not know about them and so subsequently fail to ask about them. This is just fine with the insurance companies, because it means that they collect more money.

The insurance industry is a competitive one and providing discounts based on pre-determined criteria is a way to gain and keep certain groups of customers. Typically these customers are the one’s that are less risky to insure. This means that they are less likely to get tickets, or to get into wrecks. Because they pose less of a risk to the insurance company, they are willing to give them premium discounts. Below, we will discuss both well and little known car insurance discounts. If you find that you qualify for any of these, be sure to give your insurance salesperson a call and see if they can help you save some money.

1. No Accidents, No Tickets: Individuals that have not gotten any tickets or have not been in any accidents in the last 3-5 years may be able to qualify for discounted rates. If this is you, be sure to contact your insurance sales person and ask them if you qualify.

2. Multi-line Discounts: Having both your home and car insurance with the same insurance company will also save you money. It may also be more convenient and simpler to only have to pay one premium each month or every six months (depending on your payment schedule).

3. Engineering or Science Degrees: Studies have shown that individuals with engineering and science degrees tend to be safer drivers. The 21st Century Group will provide discounts to such individuals in California, Nevada, Arizona, Washington and Oregon.

4. Being an Educator: Being a teacher provides more perks then getting an annual 3 month summer vacation. It also qualifies individuals for cheaper insurance rates. Insurance companies such as Esurance, Horace Mann, 21st Century and Ohio Casualty, all provide discounts for teachers.

5. Being in the Military: Individuals in the military also qualify for cheaper insurance rates. The insurance company Geico provides discounts to active and retired military in 40 states. The only states excluded include, New Jersey, Texas, New Mexico, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts and Michigan.

6. Being AARP Member: The AARP is a very powerful group and they are able to command lower insurance prices. On average being a member of the AARP can net insurance buyers discounts between 10%-25%.

It is important that if you qualify for insurance discounts, that you claim them. Call your insurance sales person and set up a meeting. Have them go over with you all of the available discounts that their company has to offer and then see if you qualify for any of them. You will likely be surprised at what you qualify for and how much money that you will be able to save. Just remember, the onus is on you. Your insurance company may not offer this information because it means less money for them. Consequently, you will need to be proactive and do your own investigating.

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Why Your Car Might Be More Expensive to Insure

These days, most people are eager to discover how to save money any way that they can. Individuals that are looking to learn more about their finances and insurance in particular may be interested to learn why some cars cost more to insure then others. This can be very helpful information when one is looking to purchase their next car. Knowing and understanding this information will help individuals pick a car that will not cost them a fortune to insure.

1. Make and Model of the Car: The make and model of a car will affect how much you have to pay for insurance. Certain cars will automatically cost more. These tend to be more expensive cars and those that have a greater chance of being stolen.

2. More Likely to Be Stolen: Cars that thieves tend to steal will cost more to insure. This is because insurance companies have a greater likelihood of having to pay to replace these cars or to get them repaired if they are stolen.

3. More Horsepower: Cars with a lot of horsepower tend to get into more accidents, because they are more powerful and go faster. Subsequently, drivers tend to push the limits and get into more trouble that will end up costing the insurance companies.

4. Cost: More expensive cars will cost more to insure. This is because it will cost insurance companies more to replace parts or to replace the car if it is totaled or stolen.

5. Sports Car: Sports cars are also expensive when it comes to insurance. This is because owners of sports cars tend to drive faster, get more tickets and get in more wrecks. They pose a greater risk to insurance companies so they charge more to insure them.

6. Smaller Cars: This may come as a surprise, but it will cost you more to get insurance for a smaller car. This is because if there is any kind of accident, a smaller car is likely to receive a great deal of damage, and the insurance companies will have to pay for repairs.

7. Big Cars: Big cars are also expensive to insure. This is because big cars tend to do more damage when they are involved in wrecks and the insurance company will have to pay for repairs for the other car or will have to pay for hospital bills for passengers in the other car.

The ten most costly cars to insure, beginning with the most expensive, include the Mitsubishis Lancer Evolution, Mercedes CL Class, Dodge SRT-4, Subaru Impreza WRX, Jaguar XK convertible, Lexus IS 300, Honda s200, Acura RSX, Nissan 350 Z and the Jaguar XJ.

When looking to purchase a new car, if you are concerned about insurance costs, it is important that you understand what factors affect price. Once you understand this, you can better "play the game" so to speak. Be sure to take these factors into consideration when you make a new car purchase. If you do, you will find that you notice a considerable difference in your rates.

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Call Center Insurance Companies For Car Insurance - Are They Right For You?

Each insurance company has a different business model that is geared towards their niche market. Call center companies and captive/independent Brokers are the two choices you’ll have when shopping for an auto insurance quote (not including the new online insurance companies).

Today I will talk about call center insurance companies. They are probably the easiest way to get a quote for your car insurance. You call, press a few digits on your phone, give your personal information and get a quote on the spot. People who go with call center insurance companies are usually concerned with price alone, which isn’t a bad thing. After all, we all want the cheapest rates out there.

One niche that call centers market towards is young drivers looking for cheap car insurance. A 16 year old who just got their license and is itching to get on the road in their Chevy cavalier usually finds the best rates through call centers. For all the 16 year olds reading this, yes call centers offer you competitive rates but let me give you a little hint: If you live with your parents, get a quote from their insurance company. Chances are that if they have their home and car(s) with that company, you will be eligible for multi-car and multi-policy (home and auto) insurance discounts. Even if the car is on a completely separate policy then your parent’s cars, as long as you live in their house, you would still qualify for the discounts. I’ve seen young drivers save more then $1000 on their car insurance after just adding our multi-car and multi-policy discounts. If you don’t have that option and you are a young driver, call centers can usually offer you very competitive rates.

Call centers are also known for their group discounts. Although captive agents/brokers sometimes have group discounts, it seems that the call center companies have cornered this market. If you work for a big corporation, go to college or are alumni of a college, chances are that you have access a group discount. Find out what insurance company it is with and you’ll be surprised how much you can save.

Another great thing about call centers is that for the most part, they offer far superior online services compared to captive/independent agents or brokers. From getting quotes to viewing your policy information, they are way ahead of the game and some now even offer printing your liability cards (pink slips) from your own computer. This is a service you will most likely not find with a captive/independent agent or broker.

What is the down side of call centers you ask? I think we all know the answer to that. Lack of personal attention. Imagine you have a claim and you call the 1-800 number. You then spend thirty minutes explaining what happened, they then put your claim through for you and you hang up the phone. The next day you need to call again and ask about a rental car or accident benefits coverage or whatever other questions kept you awake worried all night. What are the chances you will get the same representative on the phone the second time you call, or the third, or fourth? Every time you make that call, you will be introducing yourself and telling your story to a new customer service rep and that usually leads to "well that’s not what the person told me yesterday" and the headaches begin.

Another down side to call centers is the lack of experience in the sales department. Before I continue on this thought, let me say that I think a call center is a great place for insurance agents and brokers to start their careers, but I am looking at this from a customer point of view. Call center agents are usually hired very young and most of the time, it is their first job in the insurance industry. Most call center agents who decide that insurance sales are the career for them will move into the captive/independent agent or broker field after a couple of years experience.

If you are a young driver looking for the best rates, or somebody who prefers online and over the phone service, then call centers may be the way to go for you. If you don’t like the hassle of dealing with many different people to solve one problem or you prefer a more experienced insurance representative then maybe a call center insurance company isn’t for you.

My next post will explain the pros and cons of captive/independent agents and brokers (The alternate choice to call center agents).

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Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes - What You Need to Know Before You Buy!

You should get to know many things when you are trying to look for cheap auto insurance quotes. If you have zero knowledge about cheap auto insurance, it is unlikely that you will be able to get cheap rates unless you are lucky or know someone from the industry. Here are some easy tips to get cheap car insurance quotes that you can benefit from them.

1. Drive safely. This is the most important step that you have to follow when you are looking for cheap car insurance quotes. Safe driving will keep you away from accidents and traffic violations. It will also benefit your life as well as your driving record. The companies will look at your driving record when determining your policy quote. If you have an increase in points, this will make it hard for you to get cheap auto insurance quotes.

2. It might seem weird to you but insurance companies do view your credit rating when you apply for auto insurance policy. If you have a good credit score, you have high chances of getting cheap car insurance quotes. However, if you have a bad credit rating, consider to work on it so that you will have a better credit record to help you secure cheap auto insurance quotes in the future.

3. You can also try to remain with the same company for as long as you can. Most of the time, if you are faithful to a particular insurance company for a long period of time, they might offer you some discounts to reward your loyalty and trust towards them.

4. Take defensive driving course. Although you might think yourself as a good driver, it is always a good choice to take up defensive driving course to be in a better position to secure cheap auto insurance quotes. Similar to a driver education course, a defensive driving course will teach you the techniques to drive your vehicle as safe as possible.

If you are looking for more tips to obtain cheap auto insurance quotes, try to visit my website to gain more information about cheap auto insurance. You would definitely find the tips that you need to get cheaper rates on your auto insurance. Visit it now and get to know how you can save more on your auto insurance premium! We hope that everyone can benefit from our website.

Cheap Car Insurance Rate - Secrets Revealed!

There are actually many ways to get cheap car insurance rate that you have yet to discover. I am going to reveal some of the secrets here, so read on if you are looking for ways to reduce the cost of your car insurance.

As always, there are people who will advise you to drive carefully. This is because by driving carefully, it will benefit you in many aspects. If you still haven’t realize it, constant speeding and reckless driving will put you at a much higher risk of getting yourself in car accidents and hurting yourself and others. They will also eventually lead you to pay a very high car insurance rate as the traffic citations mount. Therefore, slow down your speed and drive carefully to prevent accidents form happening. You will then be able to secure cheap car insurance rate.

The type of car that you have will also determine your chance of getting cheap auto insurance rate. If you have a car which can be considered as old, consider dropping collision coverage on your car. Collision coverage is the one that pays to repair your car if it meets with accidents. Usually, old cars have very low value and you risk paying more insurance than what you really need by taking up collision coverage. Drop this coverage and you will get cheaper car insurance rate. However, if you decide to take up this method to get cheap car insurance rate, you will most likely need to buy another car if your car is ruined in an accident. Check the value of your car and decide it yourself whether to drop this part of coverage.

Next, you can also try to reduce your mileage to get cheap auto insurance rate. You can reduce your car’s mileage drastically by carpooling with your friends or taking public transport. Ask your insurance company if they have discounts for drivers who drive low mileage and you will find most of them do.

Besides that, you should also know your rate is actually affected by your credit rating. It is the best thing if you can keep your credit rating as high as you can. More insurance companies are using your credit factor to determine your overall amount of your car insurance rate. Try to keep any errors that come up off your credit record and you should also pay your bills on time. All these will not only help you to maintain a good credit record but also let you have higher chances to secure cheap car insurance rate.

Finally, insurance companies normally cut down your rate when you purchase more than one insurance policy from them. For example, if you haven’t got any policy for your home yet, get your homeowners policy from the same company. Sometimes, these discounts can help to reduce your car insurance rate significantly.

Find out more about how to get cheap car insurance rate by visiting my website! There are plenty of tips there for you to benefit from! Visit my site right now to learn more about how you can get cheap car insurance with ease!

How to Find Cheap Alabama Auto Insurance Rates - 5 Tips For Cheaper AL Car Insurance Rates

August 2, 2008

How does one find the cheapest Alabama auto insurance rates? Often, the answer is to purchase the State of Alabama minimum required amount of car insurance coverage and to skimp on coverage when possible. You already know that auto insurance protects you from accident and accident related expenses. You may also know that Alabama state law requires that drivers be covered at for minimum of $20,000 liability for injuries per person, $40,000 for all injuries for all persons in an accident and for $10,000 for property damage in an accident. These coverage amounts are referred to as 20/40/10. This level of coverage will have you in compliance with the law, but you need to consider carefully whether it will fully protect you financially.

Considering all of this, what can you do to find the best possible rates for your AL auto insurance while still keeping the coverage you need? These 5 steps you can help you reduce your AL auto insurance premiums without sacrificing quality.

1. Raise your Deductible. If you can afford it, a deductible of $1000 will significantly reduce your premiums. Though you may end up paying out of pocket for smaller claims, you will still be protected in the case of a more serious accident.

2. Consider Necessary Coverage. You will want to be in compliance with Alabama State law regarding the 20/40/10 liability coverage, but there are other options to consider. Collision insurance is one example. If you are driving and still paying for a newer car, you will want to be protected from having to make payments on a car that is not usable. On the other hand, if you drive an older car, collision insurance may not be a good value.

3. Ask About Special Discounts. Most insurance companies offer discounts to drivers with safe driving records, students with A/B average grades, drivers with multiple cars covered under the same policy, and policy holders who have their home and/or life insurance with the same company.

4. Ask About Discounts for Safety Features. Even more discounts may be available depending on the safety features on your vehicle. Insurance companies also offer discounts for automobiles with anti-lock brakes, air bags, anti-theft devices and daytime running lights.

5. Inquire About Insurance Rates Before Buying Your Car. Some cars come with higher and others come with lower than average insurance premiums. If you are considering purchasing a new vehicle, a few minutes of online research may save you quite a bit in premium cost.

Most companies now offer Internet rate quotes. You can save yourself quite a bit of time by using this valuable tool to gather information. Be sure to compare similar policies and gather rate quotes from at least 5 different companies.

After investigating all of these discounts and comparing the rate quotes from at least three different insurance companies, do a quick check with the better business bureau and your local repair shops. When investigating an insurance company, this can be an important step in saving you money in the long run. You want to make sure you choose a reputable company that pays benefits quickly and without complications. Be sure that you compare Alabama auto insurance quotes at least once every 6 months to make sure that you still have the best rate.

Get started comparing Alabama auto insurance rates now!

How to Find Cheap Alaska Auto Insurance Rates

Looking for a break on your Alaska auto insurance rates? We’ve compiled 3 simple steps you can take to make sure you are getting the best possible Alaska car insurance rate available to you.

1. Understand your required coverage. In Alaska, you are required to carry liability insurance of 50/100/25. Broken down, that means insurance that provides up to $50,000 for injuries or death to any one person, $100,000 for total injury or death per collision, and $25,000 for property damage. Alaska uses a Tort system, which means someone must be found at fault for each accident. That person’s insurance pays the damages for all parties involved.

If you carry a loan on your car, your loan company will require you to carry full coverage. This protects both you and your loan company. It insures the company will receive the full loan amount for the car should it be unrepairable. It also ensures that you will not be left making payments on a car that you can no longer use.

2. Understand the cost of insurance in Alaska. In 2003, the average insurance premium in Alaska was $1,100/year. There are 10 states that have a higher average annual auto insurance rate.

Some variables that affect your rates include your driving record, your age, your purpose for driving, and the distance you drive just to name a few.

-If you have a clean driving record, it is obvious that you will pay less for your auto insurance than someone who has had accidents or tickets in the past five years. Driving carefully and obeying the laws of the road will save you a significant amount of money, possibly up to 50%.

-Drivers under 21 pay higher premiums because of their lack of experience and higher rate of accidents and incidents. Students however can qualify for discounts with many companies if they keep a high G.P.A or complete a driver’s education course. Often times older drivers can qualify for discounts by taking defensive driving courses. These discounts vary by insurance company and must be asked for.

-Insurance companies consider your driving purpose when calculating rates. A "drives to business or work" rate is higher than a "pleasure" rate. If you don’t work or if you carpool or use public transportation, you need to notify your agent and ask for a reduced rate.

-If you have reduced your daily mileage by driving to a carpool location, only driving 2-3 times a week, driving to a bus stop or any other reason, you should also inform your agent. Depending your new yearly mileage average, you may qualify for a rate reduction.

3. Understand what other discounts may be available to you. Most companies offer discounts for safety equipment on your vehicle such as anti-lock breaks, airbags, daytime running lights, anti-theft devices and more. Companies also offer discounts for multiple car policies or multiple coverage policies in which you insure your home and car with the same company.

Now that you’ve got your questions lined up, you are ready to search for the best rate you can get. The easiest way to go about comparing rates is by using the Internet. The Internet allows you to get rates from multiple companies, compare similar policies, and investigate company ratings without having to make a single phone call. Before you make your final decision, be sure to get quotes from at least three different companies to get an idea of the best possible rates for the policy you need. Spend some time doing a little bit of homework and you can be well on your way to finding the cheapest Alaska auto insurance rates possible!

Get started comparing Alaska car insurance quotes today!

How to Find Cheap Maine Auto Insurance Rates

You could really use a break on your Maine auto insurance rates, so you are shopping around. This guide can help you investigate the companies you are considering. The few extra minutes you spend checking each company is well worth your time and could save you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars. Yes, all ME residents would agree that it is important to find a cheap Maine life insurance rate but in addition you want a company with an established reputation, an excellent financial rating, excellent customer reviews, and a high rating from the BBB. Some ideas to consider while investigating are:

1. Watch Out For Misleading Marketing

Some companies will use names close to those of larger, well-established companies to give you a false sense of security. Pay attention to the name of the company and be sure to investigate it. Names close to those of large well-known companies can be particularly misleading and are often used by less trustworthy establishments.

2. Be Wary of Boastful Promises

If a company or agent promises things to you that sound unrealistic or even unethical then you had better look elsewhere for coverage!

3. Compare Rates Often

The company with the cheapest Maine car insurance rates in 2007 will not necessarily be the company with the cheapest rates in 2008. Rates change often and it can really pay off to constantly be on the look out for savings. Most experts recommend comparing rates at least once every 6 months.

The best way to save on Maine auto insurance is to compare rates by shopping around. This is easily accomplished with the Internet. Be sure, though, when using the Internet you get contact information from the company such as a phone number and a street address. Compare quotes from multiple companies to get the best idea of what is available in your area of Maine.

Get started shopping around and saving some money on your Maine auto insurance today!

How to Find Cheap Kentucky Auto Insurance Rates

Finding the cheapest Kentucky auto insurance rates is important for all residents of KY. Insurance in Kentucky is required by law, as it is in most of the states but there are some things you can do to make it more affordable to you. Here are3 steps you can use to help reduce your KY auto insurance premiums without sacrificing quality.

1. Increase Your Deductible. Although you may end up paying out of pocket for smaller claims, raising your deductible to $2,500 or higher will significantly reduce your premiums. You will still be protected in the case of a more serious accident but will pay for any smaller claims yourself.

2. Scrutinize Coverage Options. You will want to be in compliance with Kentucky State law, but there are other options to consider. Collision insurance is one example. If you are driving and still paying for a newer car, you will want to be protected from having to make payments on a car that is not usable. The older your vehicle is then the less likely it is that you will need collision coverage.

3. Ask For Discounts. Most insurance companies offer discounts to drivers with safe driving records, students with B average grades, drivers with multiple cars covered under the same policy, and policy holders multiple types of insurance with the same insurance company

You can use these 3 steps to guide your search for a lower rate. Using the Internet, you can gather KY car insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies in just a few minutes. Just be sure to investigate the companies you are considering. It is well worth your time to check their customer satisfaction ratings, BBB rating, and financial stability reports.

Get started finding Kentucky auto insurance today!

How to Find Cheap Delaware Auto Insurance Rates

You may have to do some searching, but you can find cheap auto insurance in Delaware. The best place to start is at home. Understanding the insurance requirements in Delaware and the types of discounts available will give you ideas on what types of insurance you need and what discounts to ask for. Here are some ideas to help get you started on your search.

The first step to finding a better DE auto insurance rate is understanding your required coverage. In Delaware, you are required to carry liability insurance that provides up to $15,000 for injuries or death to any one person, $30,000 for total injury or death per collision, and $10,000 for property damage. Delaware uses a Tort system which means that the person at fault is charged with the accident and their insurance pays the damages for all parties involved. Delaware also requires PIP (personal injury protection) coverage of $15,000 for one person and $30,000 for all persons involved in an accident. This benefit is paid above the Tort benefits received from the other insurance company if the other driver was at fault.

While strict penalties are in place for uninsured drivers, there are still some on the road. Delaware law does not require uninsured driver insurance, but it does offer valuable protection.

Now, how do you save on your Delaware auto insurance coverage? Once you understand what you need, you need to figure out what discounts you qualify for.

Good Grades Discount - Students that maintain a 3.0 GPA or better are eligible for discounts with some companies.

Defensive Driver - Those who take courses on defensive driving are eligible for discounts from some companies.

Safety Devices - Vehicles that have certain safety devices installed are often eligible for discounts with some companies.

Be sure that you compare Delaware auto insurance quotes from at least 5 different companies in order to find the best rate.

Get started finding Delaware auto insurance today!

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